You Have to Be Selling

All the time, of course when you’re not writing, but even when you are, you have to be selling; that is, figuring out how you’re going to bring your newest “masterpiece” to the attention of the world.

Over the past four years, I’ve done a lot of slide lectures in libraries in order to promote my first novel, but now I need to do two additional things: first, learn some new social media skills for electronic outreach, and second, develop a new library speech that “sells” my book without making it too obvious.

It’s a fine line authors have to tread. With the new speech I”m planning, I have to generate strong interest in my novel, while also providing some real value to those who attend my speech. They shouldn’t feel like they’re being “sold.” I’ve learned that I tend to lean too much in the direction of providing value while I do not do enough selling.

Over the years, people have loved my lectures. But they don’t buy my novel. You’ll hear more about my new slide presentation, and I hope, about my efforts to learn more social media skills. I don’t know if an older gentleman like me can make himself stand out in a world of young hip social media types, all intent on creating buzz for themselves. But I believe I have to try.